Fabrication of CdSe Nanofibers with Potential for Biomedical Applications

The design and synthesis of nanostructured functional hybrid biomaterials are essential for the next generation of advanced diagnostics and the treatment of disease. A simple route to fabricate semiconductor nanofibers by self-assembled, elastin-like polymer (ELP)-templated semiconductor nanoparticles is reported. Core shell nanostructures of CdSe nanoparticles with a shell of ELPs are used as building blocks to fabricate functional one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures. The CdSe particles are generated in situ within the ELP matrix at room temperature. The ELP controls the size and the size-distribution of the CdSe nanoparticles in an aqueous medium and simultaneously directs the self-assembly of core shell building blocks into fibril architectures. It was found that the self-assembly of core shell building blocks into nanofibers is strongly dependent on the pH value of the medium. Results of cytotoxicity and antiproliferation of the CdSe-ELP nanofibers demonstrate that the CdSe-ELP does not exhibit any toxicity towards B14 cells. Moreover, these are found to be markedly capable of crossing the cell membrane of B14. In contrast, unmodified CdSe nanoparticles with ELPs cause a strong toxic response and reduction in the cell proliferation. This concept is valid for the fabrication of a variety of metallic and semiconductor 1D-architectures. Therefore, it is believed that these could be used not only for biomedical purposes but for application in a wide range of advanced miniaturized devices.